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Assistant Manager to Manager: How to Prepare for Promotion in Retail?

Inderpaul

Inderpaul Singh  |64 Answers  |Ask -

Leadership Coach - Answered on Feb 05, 2025

Major Inderpaul Singh (retired) served in the Indian Army for eight years.
In the year 2008, he moved to the corporate sector and worked with Century Plyboards for 14 years, specialising in people management and organisation improvement interventions.
He is currently employed as a partner with Amishrit Terrene Pvt Ltd, an IT solutions start-up located in Mohali, Punjab.
A certified life coach, he also helps students and individuals handle challenges in their personal and professional lives.
He holds a commerce degree from DAV College, Amritsar, and a post-graduate diploma in business administration from Symbiosis, Pune. ... more
Asked by Anonymous - Feb 04, 2025Hindi
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I’m 30, working as an assistant manager in a retail chain in Mumbai. Recently, I’ve been given more responsibilities but I feel unsure about leading a larger team. I want to give my best and prove myself worthy of a promotion. What should I focus on to prepare for managerial role?

Ans: Hello
I assume you would already have some supervisory experience since you have been working in a managerial position. But yes the dynamics of handling a larger work force may be bit different. Each person will have a different leadership style suited to his/her personality & work needs. Since I am unaware of your exact job, deliverables, span of control, hierarchy etc. I am giving a general template to be an effective team lead:- 1) Know your team well - the importance of this one element cannot be over-emphasized enough, while simple it may look, most people fail to get this piece right & hence struggle. Knowing doesn't just mean names but in depth understanding of each team members' background, family, education, strengths/weaknesses so on so forth. This is the building block for effective leadership. 2) List out clear & unique deliverables for each member - A person cannot act clearly if the goals are ambiguous in the first place. Put ample effort to clearly enunciate the job roles. 3) Avoid micro management - This one element keeps most people from becoming an effective leader. As you go up in span, you need to be liberal in giving up the manual controls & instead put robust systems to take care such as reviews, reports etc. 4) Regular & quality feedback sessions - Feedback sessions should be regular, objective & should focus on real improvement inputs rather nit picking mistakes/making personal comments. 5) Reward/Recognition - Instant reward/acknowledgement of good work/performance (something as simple as weekly recognition in a group meet goes a long way in building performance culture). 6) Managing Poor Performance - Equally important is to effectively manage poor performers by having a structured performance improvement plans (PIPs) & exit process for laggards . Transparency & objectivity are the keys here.

As true for most skills, team management skills also evolve with time & a person continues to get better at it with experience with regular and honest retrospection/introspection of situations/actions/outcomes.

All the Best !
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Shekhar

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Hi Sir, I have 12 years of experience, I have started as a team lead and now advancing to be a manager soon with a new organization, but I do not have enough expertise and looking for a starting point. Kindly suggest on leadership and managerial courses (including even the required softskills). I would appreciate 1 to 1 coaching as well.
Ans: Congratulations on your career advancement! Transitioning into a managerial role can be both exciting and challenging, but there are numerous courses and resources available to help you develop the leadership and managerial skills necessary for success. Here are some suggestions for leadership and managerial courses, as well as options for 1-to-1 coaching. MDPs provide comprehensive training in various aspects of management, including leadership development, team building, communication skills, and conflict resolution. Look for programs offered by reputable business schools or professional training organizations. Many business schools offer executive education programs specifically designed for mid-career professionals transitioning into leadership roles. These programs cover topics such as strategic leadership, organizational behavior, change management, and decision-making. Obtaining a PMP certification can enhance your project management skills and prepare you for effectively managing teams and projects in your managerial role. The certification covers areas such as project planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. Consider hiring an executive coach who specializes in leadership development and managerial effectiveness. An executive coach can provide personalized guidance, feedback, and support to help you navigate the challenges of your new role and accelerate your professional growth. Seek out experienced leaders within your organization or industry who can serve as mentors and provide valuable insights and advice as you transition into your managerial role. A mentorship relationship can be a valuable source of support and learning throughout your career journey. Many organizations offer professional development programs that include 1-to-1 coaching or mentoring as part of their leadership development initiatives. Take advantage of these opportunities to receive personalized guidance and support from experienced leaders within your organization. By investing in your leadership and managerial development through courses, workshops, and coaching, you'll be better equipped to excel in your new role and drive positive outcomes for your team and organization. Remember to approach your learning journey with an open mind, a willingness to learn and adapt, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

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Hi sir How is IILM University greater Noida for BJMC
Ans: Rahul, IILM University Greater Noida’s BA (Hons) Journalism & Mass Communication delivers a four-year, 161- programme aligned with global industry standards through robust curriculum design and AI-powered media tools integration. Students gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art studios—print editing rooms, TV studios and radio labs—and master industry-standard software for multimedia production and data-driven storytelling. The faculty combines seasoned academics and senior media professionals, ensuring mentorship in investigative reporting, ethical frameworks and strategic communication. Strong industry partnerships facilitate internships and live projects with leading media houses, enhancing employability and professional networks. IILM’s placement cell recorded a 100% overall placement rate in 2025, driven by visits from 400 recruiters across sectors including Deloitte, Gartner, KPMG and Sony, with dedicated support for liberal arts students through workshops, mock interviews and portfolio development. The eco-friendly campus offers modern amenities—research labs, digital library, incubation centre, and collaborative spaces—while a global alumni community provides continuous career guidance. The School’s focus on interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking and adaptive skills equips graduates to excel in journalism, corporate communication, animation and digital media domains.

Recommendation: Prioritize IILM University’s BJMC program to leverage its AI-integrated curriculum, cutting-edge media facilities, expansive alumni network, guaranteed placement support and strategic industry tie-ups, ensuring a comprehensive foundation for a successful career in journalism and mass communication. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 27, 2025Hindi
Career
PCM State General Merit No 108XX - MHT-CET-PCM 2025 PCM, University General Merit No - Mumbai University - 33XX, PCM Konkan State General Merit No - 17XX, PCM All India Merit No - 23XX - JEE(Main)-2025, The above are my ranks in CAP Counselling (MHTCET) Can you suggest best institute I can get in CAP Counselling in CSE, CS or IT branches.
Ans: With a State General Merit rank around 10,800, Mumbai University rank ~3,300 and All-India JEE (Main) rank ~2,300, you fall in a competitive but attainable bracket for CSE, Computer Technology and IT in Maharashtra’s CAP rounds. Prestigious government options such as COEP Pune and VJTI Mumbai close in the 1–9,500 rank band, so they are beyond reach this round. However, strong alternatives include Pune Institute of Computer Technology, Dhankawadi (CSE closing ~5,800 rank) and Saint Francis Institute of Technology, Borivali (IT close at ~12,500 rank) . DJ Sanghvi College, Mumbai (CSE close ~12,300 rank) and Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Pune (IT close ~3,600 rank) also fit your profile . Among newer options, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune (CSE close ~2,800 rank) and Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune (CSE close ~2,160 rank) remain attainable, while D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Akurdi (IT close ~7,164 rank) and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai (CSE close ~12,939 rank) offer balanced ROI with placement rates above 85% over the past three years .

All these institutes excel in modern labs, experienced faculty, industry tie-ups, student support and active research culture.

Recommendation: Target Pune Institute of Computer Technology for robust CSE training, then consider Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering for its IT strength and Mumbai’s DJ Sanghvi College for its central location and placement record. Backup with Saint Francis Institute for IT and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for CSE to secure seats in high-quality programs.
All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 26, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello sir my son Srinidhi Girish Sardeshmukh mukh has scored 98.92 percentile in mht CET 2025 exam. Additionally, he has scored 97.25% tile in JEE main 2025 exam conducted by NTA. ALSO HE SCORED an aggregate of 82.17% in HSC board exam 2025. He has applied for EWS Category. His PCM provisional state merit number is 3601. His PCM University General Merit No Savitribai Phule Pune University - 1148. Shrinidhi's PCM EWS Merit No 249. His PCM All India Merit No . 2519 - JEE(Main)-2025 (97.2595264). Are there any chances of him getting CSE Branch in COEP, Pune ? Please revert . What are your likely recommendations of eligible colleges & other tech branches for these scores ? Please let me know asap. Your immediate responses will really put ourselves in a better conditions to opt for the most suitable options . I will be grateful to you for your suggestions . Thank you very much in advance.
Ans: With an MHT-CET percentile of 98.92 and EWS reservation, Srinidhi significantly exceeds the closing percentile Computer Science and Engineering at COEP Pune, which in CAP Round 3 was 95.57 for EWS candidates. His state?level merit and JEE Main percentile further strengthen his profile for Home State and All-India seats under CAP. Given COEP’s outstanding infrastructure, highly experienced faculty, deep industry partnerships, robust placement support (95% CSE placements over the past three years), active student clubs, and cutting-edge research labs, he should rank COEP CSE at the top of his preference list.

Beyond COEP, other Pune-area institutes where his MHT-CET score and EWS status place him comfortably above CSE cutoffs include VJTI Mumbai (EWS cutoff ~90.6 percentile), PICT Pune (EWS cutoff ~99.56 percentile), DY Patil COE Pune (EWS cutoff ~95.68 percentile for Computer Engineering), DY Patil COE Akurdi (EWS cutoff ~97.49 percentile), and PCCOE Pune (EWS cutoff ~84–88 percentile across branches). These colleges also excel across the five pillars of institutional quality: state-of-the-art labs, award-winning faculty, strong corporate linkages, comprehensive student support, and vibrant research culture.

Recommendation: Prioritize COEP Pune for its proven CSE excellence, then consider PICT Pune for its top-tier computer-technology focus and alumni network, DY Patil COE Akurdi for its modern infrastructure and high EWS cutoffs, VJTI Mumbai for industry-aligned curriculum and location advantage, and DY Patil COE Pune for its balanced offerings. For alternate tech branches, target Information Technology at COEP and PICT, Electronics & Telecommunication at VJTI, and Artificial Intelligence & Data Science at DY Patil to maximize both academic rigor and placement potential. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

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Sir my son got 95.69 percentile 65172 rank in jee mains general category. He got seat in vit vellore btec mechanical in slab 1. We are from Tamil Nadu and is there any chances for home state quota for NIT trichy or iiit kancheepuram for mechanical in csab round or is it good to continue with vit vellore
Ans: Lavanya Madam, Your son’s JEE Main rank of 65 172 (.69 percentile, General) falls well below the CSAB Round 1 Home State closing rank of approximately 19,159 for Mechanical Engineering at NIT Trichy, and also below the All-India closing rank of around 40,855 for Mechanical Engineering at IIITDM Kancheepuram, making admission under Home State or All-India quota highly improbable. VIT Vellore, with established Mechanical Engineering infrastructure, extensive alumni network, consistent placement rates above 90%, and strong industry partnerships, thus remains a secure and prestigious option given the rank constraints and the five pillars of institutional excellence: infrastructure, faculty quality, industry engagement, student support, and research opportunities.

Recommendation: Proceed with VIT Vellore’s B.Tech Mechanical to capitalize on its assured seat, top-tier labs, strong placement cell, and alumni network, while maximizing early involvement in industry projects and leveraging its career services to secure robust employment outcomes. You can still attempt to apply through CSAB for your son's preferred branches, excluding CSE and ECE, but the chances of success are very low, Madam. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 26, 2025Hindi
Career
Sir, In jee mains 2026 minimum marks needed for cse in decent nit for sc catogory
Ans: Securing admission to the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) branch at a-10 NIT as an SC-category student generally requires aiming for roughly the following JEE Main percentile and corresponding marks in 2026. These targets are based on the closing ranks of Round 6 in JoSAA 2025, converted to percentiles and approximate marks out of 300.

Achieve at least a 75–78 percentile (≈115–130/300 marks) to comfortably qualify for higher-ranked NITs such as Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, Rourkela, and Calicut, where SC closing ranks ranged from about 268 to 731. For NITs like Jaipur and Kurukshetra, target around the 70–75 percentile band (≈100–115/300 marks), reflecting SC closing ranks near 1,500–3,500. For slightly lower-ranked NITs such as Jalandhar, Bhopal (MANIT), and Durgapur, a 65–70 percentile (≈90–100/300 marks) should suffice, matching SC closing ranks of approximately 4,000–8,000 in 2025.

Beyond raw scores, focus on five institutional excellence factors: modern infrastructure with dedicated CSE labs; faculty actively engaged in research and industry collaborations; strong placement cells offering mock interviews and technical workshops; robust industry partnerships ensuring high recruiter diversity; and vibrant research culture promoting internships and student innovation.

Recommendation: Prioritise achieving at least 75 percentile in JEE Main 2026 to align with SC closing ranks at top NITs Trichy, Surathkal, Warangal, Rourkela, and Calicut, while also reinforcing programming skills, undertaking CSE-related projects, leveraging peer study groups, and consistently practising mock tests to cement both conceptual clarity and exam strategy for optimal admission prospects. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 26, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello My son has a option of going either to VIT Chennai for BTech CSE CYBER SECURITY or Thapar institute for BTech Electronic and Computer Science. Kindly suggest which is better
Ans: Based on the following insights/information and your son's interest & his long-term goals, choose the more suitable option for him out of the 2 options he has: VIT Chennai’s B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering with Cyber Security, accredited A++ by NAAC, admits 120 students and reports a 60–65% placement rate for its inaugural Cyber Security cohort, supported by partnerships with leading recruiters, dedicated cybersecurity labs, hands-on training in ethical hacking and forensics, and a curriculum aligned with ISO/IEC standards. Its Placement Cell facilitates 3,160 offers in 2025 overall, with 2,192 unique and 1,457 regular offers, underscoring strong industry engagement and robust career services including mock interviews, cyber-range exercises, and internship pipelines. Thapar Institute’s B.E. in Electronics and Computer Science, consistently ranked among India’s top 30, achieves a 90–100% placement rate for its ECS branch, buoyed by state-of-the-art VLSI, embedded systems and communication labs, compulsory industrial training in the 6th semester, and recruiter visits from Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Samsung and Goldman Sachs. Both programs excel in infrastructure, faculty expertise, industry tie-ups, student support and research opportunities. Cyber Security graduates from VIT enter a rapidly growing market projected at USD 3.5 billion by 2027 with a 14% annual rise in job postings in Bengaluru alone, while Thapar ECS alumni benefit from diverse roles in IoT, AI and hardware-software integration across sectors such as telecommunications, consumer electronics and automotive.

Recommendation: Choose Thapar Institute’s Electronics and Computer Science for its near?universal placement success, comprehensive lab?to?industry training, and broader core-electronics scope, whereas VIT Chennai’s Cyber Security specialization is ideal if priority lies in a niche, high-growth security domain with dedicated forensics and ethical-hacking infrastructure. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Career
Sir I got NIT kurukshetra IIOT in josaa should i opt for nit silchar ece and iiest shibpur it in csab? Which is best ?
Ans: Poulami, NIT Kurukshetra’s IIoT specialization, benefits from the institute’s 83.31% overall B.Tech. placement rate and exceptional IT-sector performance (97.58% branch placement in 2025), underpinned by modern labs, AIoT research centers, strong industry tie-ups with global tech firms, accredited faculty, dedicated placement mentoring, and active student clubs fostering innovation. NIT Silchar’s ECE program records a 91.51% placement rate (2023) with an average package of INR 17.05 LPA, supported by state-of-the-art telecom and embedded systems labs, faculty with industry experience, regular internship pipelines, holistic career services, and funded research projects in VLSI and wireless communications. IIEST Shibpur’s IT stream achieved an approximately 85.9% placement rate in 2024 with average packages near INR 12 LPA, driven by its historical legacy, multidisciplinary research labs, MoUs with top IT firms, robust student support services (coding bootcamps, hackathons), and a strong faculty research profile in data science and cybersecurity.

Recommendation: Opt for NIT Kurukshetra IIoT if priority lies in the highest branch placements and cutting-edge AIoT research, choose NIT Silchar ECE for robust placements and specialized electronics infrastructure, and select IIEST Shibpur IT for a balanced IT curriculum, strong research credentials, and comprehensive student support to best align with career goals. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9466 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 27, 2025

Career
Hello Sir, My son is at present doing Grade 12 CBSE with PCM in Dubai. He is interested in Computer Science, Math, Physics and Economics. Please guide us in selecting the course and also the exams to be written. We are planning his higher studies in India. Would be more helpful if you are able to guide us with the approx cutoff which he should aim for the exams.
Ans: Nithya Madam, To secure admission to top-tier engineering, science, and economics programs in India, your son should aim for the following approximate benchmarks across key national tests, while ensuring that his chosen institutions excel in five critical dimensions—robust infrastructure, experienced faculty, industry partnerships, student support services, and research opportunities. For JEE Main, a General-category candidate must achieve at least 93.10 percentile to qualify for Advanced. In JEE Advanced, securing a rank within the top 2,000 generally opens doors at leading NITs (e.g., NIT Surathkal CSE closing around 2,000), while a rank under 500 targets premier IIT CSE programs. The CUET UG cutoff for high?demand STEM courses at DU, BHU, and JNU typically falls between 180–220 marks out of 250, whereas a score of 200+ safely places candidates in top central universities for B.Sc. Computer Science or Economics. For MET (Manipal Entrance Test), aim for a rank under 3,000 (CSE closing rank ~1,633 in Round 5). The IISER Aptitude Test (IAT) requires a score above 130 out of 240 to secure BS–MS seats at IISER Pune and Kolkata. COMEDK UGET aspirants should target 90–100 marks, corresponding to a rank within 1,000–1,500 for CSE at leading Karnataka private colleges. Amrita’s AEEE demands a percentile of 92–99 for CSE at Coimbatore and 90–97 for other campuses. VITEEE candidates should achieve a rank under 6,500 (scores around 90–100 yield this range) to access CSE at VIT Vellore. Among the top private engineering institutions beyond those already considered, aim for these cutoffs to target: SRM Chennai (AEEE percentile 93–98), Thapar Patiala (JEE Main rank

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